Center for Advanced Bariatric and
Minimally Invasive Surgery

Our Physicians

Adam Kopelan, MD
Vice Chairman of Surgery and Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

Dr. Kopelan was recently appointed Vice Chairman of Surgery and Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. He will continue as a partner in Millburn Surgical Associates.

Dr. Kopelan earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. He received his postgraduate training in General Surgery at the University of Chicago Hospitals where he also was a Research Fellow in Immunology.

Board certified in General Surgery, Dr. Kopelan has published articles and presented on topics including Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery. His practice interests are in Advanced Minimally Invasive, Bariatric, and Endocrine Surgery utilizing laparoscopic, robotic and endoluminal techniques. Dr. Kopelan has a particular focus in resident and medical student education. In
2003 he was the recipient of the Robert Baker Golden Apple Teaching Award at the University of Chicago, and in 2005 he received the Golden Apple Teaching Award at Monmouth Medical Center. He is currently a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Society of Alimentary and Gastrointestinal Surgery, and the Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons.

Leonard D. Benitez, MD, CWS, FACS, DMP
surgeon at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

Dr. Benitez was recently appointed as a full time faculty member in the Department of Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Dr. Benitez found the Wound Care Center at Lehigh Regional Medical Center and served as its Medical Director. In addition, he was the Medical Director of the Bariatric Institute at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center. Most recently he was in practice in laparoscopic/general non-vascular surgery in Fort Myers, Fl.

Dr. Benitez earned his medical degree from New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. He received his postgraduate training in General Surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, where he served as Chief Resident. He pursued a fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery at The Laparoscopic Surgery Center, Baptist Hospital of Miami, Fl.

Board certified in general surgery and wound care management, Dr. Benitez is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Certified Wound Care Specialists. Dr. Benitez performs the core of non-vascular general surgical procedures, both open and minimally invasive. His particular areas of interest are in minimal surgery using laparoscopic and robotic techniques, bariatric surgery and advanced wound care.